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CalMatters
California Legislature gets the budget done
Five days before the new fiscal year begins, California lawmakers voted Wednesday night to approve the budget deal announced by the Legislature’s Democratic leaders and Gov. Gavin Newsom. The outcome was never in doubt since the agreement was unveiled Saturday: Democrats control both the Assembly and Senate and don’t need any Republican votes to pass […]
How California’s bureaucracy can prevent working-class transplants from resuming their career
A cosmetologist who relocated to Davis after a family tragedy spent six months trapped in state bureaucracy before she could legally resume her trade in California. A legislative fix could make it easier for others who relocate to California, she says, especially those without loved ones to provide cover.
A ‘lifeline’ for California’s rural schools is about to expire. Why is it stalled in Congress?
Counties with large areas of public land get federal funding that many rural schools rely on. The most recent round of payments in May – $33.7 million for California – will be the last unless Congress votes to extend the program.
Doxxing victims in California may gain right to sue to ‘bring some power back’
A state bill would allow doxxing victims to sue those responsible in civil court for as much as $30,000, plus attorneys’ fees and court costs. Supporters say it’s needed to stem online harassment against LGBTQ residents and others.
Did political bias actually influence California court ruling on anti-tax ballot measure?
Proponents of a ballot measure to limit tax increases claimed the California Supreme Court had political motives in a recent ruling that removed it from the ballot. A careful reading of the decision indicates otherwise.
Why California firefighters are waiting for workers comp
California’s massive workers’ comp insurance system — which is supposed to provide medical care for workplace injuries — is failing the firefighters who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems. As CalMatters environmental reporter Julie Cart explains, Cal Fire firefighters have to fight the system, often hiring attorneys, to get their […]
‘Total system breakdown’: California firefighters with PTSD face a workers’ comp nightmare
Even when suicidal, California firefighters struggle to find medical help and navigate the workers’ comp morass to pay for it. A 2021 analysis showed their claims were more likely to involve PTSD — and were denied more often.
She crashed and got a DUI. Now this California lawmaker is on a mission to talk about booze
After her DUI arrest, Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo has been talking about her struggles with alcohol. Now she has introduced legislation to educate high school students about the harms of booze.
The effort to bring back affirmative action in limited form is dead
The measure’s author said it would compete with other priorities this year, including an effort to fend off a proposed constitutional amendment to punish retail thieves and another to restrict forced labor in prisons. He wants to propose it for a future election season.
Gavin Newsom warns that dark forces are threatening California
The governor posts a pre-recorded State of the State speech online and fulfills his duty by sending a text of his remarks to the Legislature. He emphasizes how California is standing up against threats to the state’s success: pluralism, innovation and diversity.
Will last-minute bond issues make California ballot?
The most recent measure to let the state borrow billions barely passed in March. In a poll out this month, nearly two-thirds of Californians said it’s a bad time to issue more IOUs. But that isn’t stopping supporters of climate action and school construction from trying to get bond issues on the November ballot — […]
Indian Americans have a role to play in educating Californians about Hindu nationalism
Indian Americans bear a special responsibility to educate neighbors and lawmakers in California, and to prevent Hindu nationalism from gaining a foothold, as a series of violent incidents and protests signal has found support.
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